Volunteer for Emergency Service

This page has been automatically translated from English. MSDH has not reviewed this translation and is not responsible for any inaccuracies.

Mississippi health professionals who have not already signed up with our Mississippi Responder Management System (MRMS)
can register with MSDH for health-related service in emergencies.

Mississippi Responder Management System

The Mississippi Responder Management System is the online registration system for medical, health and non-medical responders for the State of Mississippi. It is a secure database of pre-credentialed health care professionals and pre-registered non-medical volunteers who are trained to provide a coordinated response to a large scale disaster or other public health emergency. This pre-registration and pre-verification of potential volunteers enhances the state's ability to mobilize appropriate health professionals as needed to assist with an emergency response.

Information about volunteers will only be made available to government emergency planners if a disaster is declared. Registration on MRMS does not obligate volunteers to serve during a disaster. Volunteers are expected to maintain current contact information on the system.

Education & Training

We offer free volunteer training throughout the state for all registered and potential volunteers. The trainings are free to the public, and CEUs are offered. Training is open to anyone who is interested.

Partners

Questions & Answers about Volunteering

Do I have to register through MRMS in order to volunteer to work in an emergency setting?

Yes. MS - MRMS is Mississippi's Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) and allows for pre-credentialing to hasten the process in making deployment assignments.

What disciplines can register through MRMS?

Most health care disciplines can register through MRMS. A complete list is available (to users) during the registration process.

Do I need certain qualifications?

A current active professional license in good-standing or "privilege to practice" in Mississippi will be needed.

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners may go to the MS Board of Nursing website at www.msbn.ms.gov for information related to licensure verification and practice including information on the fifty state Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Physicians may go to the MS Board of Medical Licensure site at www.msbml.state.ms.us for information from the Board regarding physician licensure for this event.

How will I know if I am accepted as a volunteer? Will I be notified of my acceptance?

Once you register you are tentatively accepted and at the time of deployment your credentials will be verified with your discipline's Mississippi Regulatory Agency (or licensing body). You will be notified of your acceptance at the time you are contacted to discuss your acceptance of deployment/ assignment.

When and where will I be deployed?

MRMS will accept formal requests for volunteer help from impacted/ affected areas after the hurricane has landed and the need can be assessed. Efforts will be made to match the request of both the affected area and the volunteer where possible. Priority for placement is given to the request of the impacted/ affected area.

In some circumstances, volunteers will be asked to go to help evacuee shelters prior to hurricane landfall.

How long will I be deployed?

The average length of assignment is 3-5 days. In some cases it is shorter, in some it is longer.

What if I change my mind or I can't go?

Registering to volunteer through MRMS is not binding. If you are unable to go or just change your mind, you can simply decline the request.

Where will I be sent? Do I have a choice in where I am sent?

A volunteer may ask for a certain assignment. However priority is to try to match requests from the disaster area with services that THEY need or are short of at a certain time.

Possible assignments may be a hospital, a shelter, or in some cases a health facility. Again the experience and ability of the volunteer is considered.

If I am deployed what credentials will I need to bring?

A photo ID or photo driver's license will be needed at arrival. Credentials will have been checked through MRMS in advance. Confirmation of what to bring will be made at time of contact with the volunteer during request for deployment.